"Ami! Get back here!" I shouted jumping off from the couch and landed safely on the hardwood floor.
"No! If I did you'd skin me alive!"
"Of course! Give me that picture!"
"This?" she said lifting it up innocently.
"Yes, that! Now give it!"
I ran across the living room and chased Ami around the countertop island then back to the living room. The doorbell rang and I sent a smug smirk towards Ami who just stared at me curiously. I opened the door without looking at who was standing there.
"Ami, meet my reinforcement Rima."
I looked towards the door and my victory smug fell off my face. Sure Rima was standing there…but so were Kukai and Ikuto.
"Rima, darling, why couldn't Nagi make it?" I asked sarcasm dripping from my voice.
"His mom was sick."
"Oh really? Why doesn't everyone come in?"
"What's up with her?" asked Kukai.
"I don't know. She said Ami was blackmailing her with something so she needed help. And I thought what's better than two other cops."
"Some family," snorted Ikuto.
When they walked in Amu was standing in front of the couch on one side and Ami was on the other side holding up what seemed to be a photo.
"That's not fair! If you guys are all with Amu then it's 4 against 1. That's cheating!"
"Yeah Amu! That's cheating," mimicked Ikuto. "And another thing, you called us here to help you get a picture from a kid?"
"I didn't call you. And are you helping or not?"
"Sure why not."
"I call teams!" exclaimed Ami as if this was all just a big game.
"Kukai and I will be on your team sweetie pie," smiled Rima.
"Rima, I called you here to be my reinforcement!"
"Guess you'll just have to settle with your darling Ikuto over there."
I didn't look at Ikuto knowing that my face had turned a slight pink from remembering what had happened at Christmas.
"Ikuto, you take Amu upstairs and just talk…like a…um…conference!" exclaimed Ami again clearly enjoying this.
I turned around and led him to my room without a word. How ironic that Ikuto is helping get something that I didn't want him to know about. Oh and how perfect is it that Kukai and Rima get to see what the picture is about. And Ami is probably going to go all out for this too…
"Nice outfit," commented Ikuto after a long and non-awkward silence.
I dreadfully took a look down at what I was wearing. A cute navy tank top with the necklace Ikuto had given me on Christmas along with some basketball shorts. And I think…he was actually being sincere about it.
"Thanks."
"Should I want to know what Ami is blackmailing you with besides the knowledge that it's a picture?"
"Not really."
"Figured as much."
"I wonder what they're up to," I mused silently.
Ami POV
"Woah!" exclaimed Kukai.
"Scandalous," hissed Rima delightfully.
"Exactly, which is why I can't get caughtt or else," I said moving my finger horizontally across my neck.
"I'm in."
"Me too."
"Kukai, go to that closet and grab a box labeled top secret. Let's spice up this game a little, huh Rima?"
"Oh Amu, we're ready!" I called out.
Amu POV
"She called," repeated Ikuto.
"I know…"
"Then why aren't you going down there? I swear you are the strangest person I've met by far."
I just looked up and glared. Didn't he understand what the picture was? Well he couldn't because I haven't told him but still. It's going to be so embarrassing if he finds out what it is. Ugh Rima I am so going to kill you! Oh my gosh what am I going to do? I looked up at Ikuto who was just staring at the wall with a bored expression and one hand under his chin.
"Okay…let's go," I said getting up.
"It's about time."
We both got up and I followed him out of my room. But just before we left I stood in the doorway in inhaled a deep breath then exhaled it loudly. I closed my eyes then followed him downstairs. Game on Ami.
"What the hell? I thought this was tag not hide-and-go-seek," grumbled Ikuto once we stood in the living room.
I couldn't help but smile. He was just like a little kid.
"She's blackmailing with someone. And blackmailers don't like to give up the thing they're blackmailing you with."
"Whatever. Let's just get this over with."
Ikuto searched the living and I decided to check the kitchen. I opened the kitchen door and the minute I did a bucket of water that had been on the ledge of the door fell on top of me. Now…I was soaking wet. Ikuto looked up and burst out laughing.
"Quit laughing. She's playing dirty…I'm going to go change."
"Suit yourself," he shrugged.
I ran upstairs, dripping wet. When I slid my closet door open all my clothes were gone. It was literally entirely empty, not even my under garments were there. I let out a loud, frustrated groan, and then marched downstairs where Ikuto was still searching the living room. He looked up at me then frowned.
"I know I said you were strange but this is just stupid. Go change, you're going to get sick. And plus, I thought you were changing."
"She. Stole. My. Clothes," I gritted between clenched teeth.
"Take your clothes off then."
"Pervert!" I screeched.
"Stupid, not like that. Here," he said taking off his leather jacket and tossing it at me. "Go change, you're going to get sick and then you'll end up in a coma just like last time."
I caught the jacket and let out a smile.
"Thank you."
"Don't let it get to your head."
I went to the bathroom and changed. I came back in wet pants and just his leather jacket on. Strangely…very strangely I liked his jacket. It smelled just like him…it was…comforting somehow.
I DO NOT LIKE IKUTO SO JUST GET THAT OUT OF YOUR HEAD.
Good, let's continue.
…
"Let's continue," I said.
The kitchen was completely empty but on the refrigerator there was a small green post-it note. Ikuto read it aloud.
"Ask Ikuto if you can keep his jacket. It looks good on you. Ami."
"Hell no, that jacket cost me close to a hundred dollars."
"Little brat. She planned this. All of it…she's so paying."
"Then why don't we get on her level?" suggested Ikuto with a smirk.
"I so like that idea. But what should we do, pranks aren't my forte."
"They aren't mine either," sighed Ikuto. "Guess we can't do that. But we can use our cop skills."
"I guess."
Ami POV
From the staircase railing we watched Amu and Ikuto grumble to each other. Even though I had started this all because I didn't want to get caught, this could all have an ulterior motive.
"What's going on? I thought were trying not to get caught? Why are we stealing Amu's clothes?
Rima and I shot Kukai a 'You can't possibly be any more oblivious' look.
"What?"
"Kukai, Ami here is trying to get Amu and Ikuto closer a little. And by getting Amu wet and stealing her clothes, Ikuto had to share his jacket."
"Oh!"
"Duh," I shrugged.
"Time for the next prank."
Amu POV
"Okay, so she wasn't in the living room or kitchen. Let's check back upstairs."
Ikuto nodded and I proceeded upstairs. I of course checked my room first but no one was there and the clothes were still missing. Walking back out I saw Ikuto go into Ami's room; I followed him in.
"I honestly thought this was going to be easy. Ami's pretty good at hiding."
"Well she does seem to get motivation when things get pretty interesting."
"All kids are like that."
We walked out of Ami's room and were just about to go back downstairs when Ikuto noticed the other rooms near Ami's room. He stepped closer to them.
"Who sleeps there?" he asked.
"No one."
"Really now? So what's going on in there?"
"Well that one is my other room and the other one is the guest room."
"Can I go in?"
I never let anyone go in that room except Ami. It was something only the both of us could relate to. But still….
"Okay," I mumbled quietly.
Why am I letting him in? Why him? I didn't let Utau in. I didn't let Yaya in. Rima certainly hasn't…so why am I letting Ikuto look inside. He won't understand. He just wouldn't. He opened the door and stepped into the light blue room.
Newspaper heading covered the wall. Sketches were spread out everywhere.
"You like collecting newspapers and drawing pictures…of guys?" asked Ikuto brushing his hand over a headline.
Saying nothing, I just walked up to a headline and stared at it. Negotiator saves girls from bank!
"It's not something I do for fun…I'm looking for someone who practically saved my life."
"Oh. Do you have a name or any kind of description? I could try and look through old files if you need any help."
"It's fine. It was when I was 10. I forgot his name…I can't even remember what he looks like."
"So that's why you have the sketches out."
"Yeah. I come in here sometimes and just begin drawing. I can imagine him sort of. Tall and handsome…something dark…almost reminding me of the sky. But I can never produce what I imagine out on paper. There are days when I feel I got it…but then when I actually think about it I know it's wrong."
"But he is a negotiator right?"
"Yeah. Funny thing is he seemed to be a teenager when he started negotiating. Around high school…kind of like you right? Didn't you say that you started when you were 17?"
"Yeah. But lots of teens start out as negotiators then turn to cops. So maybe he's a cop."
"Hmm…could be. But for now, let's just get that photograph."
"You're right."
I quickly walked out of the room but Ikuto lingered a bit. He stared at the newspaper headings where the wide window shined light onto them. He then joined me back outside. Before we headed down, we heard a muffled laugh. Adrenaline pumping now, I rushed down the stairs only to slip on the little puddle I had created while I was wet and slipped.
I expected the hard floor…but instead what I was on was soft. The rug maybe? Wait…rugs don't breathe… I peeked one eye open and saw a mass of dark blue hair…then I opened both eyes in shock. Ikuto was under me and his hand was supporting my back. His face was crumpled in pain.
"Oh, God. Ikuto are you okay?"
He opened his eyes and gave me a frown.
"I would be if someone would get off me."
Realizing I was still on him, I scrambled off.
"Damn your heavy."
"Excuse me?" I asked, a hand on my hip.
"Are you okay?"
He changed the subject. Such a guy.
"Yeah. You?"
"I'm fine. You're really clumsy."
"I never used to be clumsy. In fact I used to be the most coordinated person out there."
At this he burst into laughter. I frowned.
We both got up and started to look for Ami. By now it was close to noon. As we were walking, I didn't see the item on the floor…and you can probably realize that I slipped…again.
I fell to the floor with a loud thud and looked at what I had tripped over. Green goop.
"Eeew, what the hell?"
"Hah, and you said you were coordinated."
"I am!"
"Sure you are. Get up."
When I tried to get up, I ended up wincing in pain and falling back to the ground. Ikuto sighed then bent down.
"Here…get on my back."
"Why?"
"Because, I know you won't sit around just waiting for Ami to give you the photograph."
"I thought you said I was heavy. Remember?" I said with my arms folded across my chest.
Ikuto turned around and gave me a small smirk.
"Can't you take a joke? Now come on. My feet hurt."
Sighing, I crawled onto his back. Once I was on, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He got up and began to look for Ami. This is all so familiar. Ikuto carrying me on his back…it's so familiar. Why can't I remember? Have…have I met him before?
"There she is!" exclaimed Ikuto. "Stay here."
He dumped me on the floor gently then ran off towards the backyard. I on the other hand limped to the door. Kukai and Rima were guarding Ami as soon as they saw Ikuto. Ikuto shoved them aside and playfully tackled Ami into the mud. Rima and Kukai were cracking up.
"Ikuto get off me!" screamed Ami.
"Give me the picture."
"Heck no."
"Then let's play."
He got up and splashed more mud into Ami's face before tackling her back down.
"Okay. Okay. OKAY! Get off me and I'll give you the picture."
Ikuto got up then helped her up as well.
"Where's the picture?"
"Over there," said Ami pointing to the table near the rose bushes.
I gasped in horror when Ikuto went and grabbed the picture. I watched him pick it up and stare at it long and hard before turning towards me and giving me a smirk. I blushed. I'm sure of it because my face was hot.
Ikuto walked up towards me and handed me the picture.
"You can keep the jacket. It suits you. Oh, and I like the picture."
Author's Notes
Hey…okay I guess I really don't deserve to say hi to guys this time. I'm really really really really sorry about the late update. I actually do have an excuse…if it helps. I've started a new story called Never would've guessed on . If you want more details about it message me.
Anyways not only am I late on updating but the ending of the story seems a bit too abrupt. I don't know. It's not too mushy gushy but it's not all hardcore cliffhanger. Reviews made me really happy to. Yes you guys were able to see some Amuto moments. This chapter was just for fun. Hehe.
Read~Review~Enjoy
Neko Meme